JP2003032475A - Device and method for processing image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and a method for processing image, which efficiently forms a proof easy to check or a plurality of kinds of prints. SOLUTION: On the basis of cut line data different from original image data D1, additional dot image data are prepared and synthetic dot image data provided by synthesizing the additional dot image data and dot image data are outputted to an output device so that the proof can be prepared. Therefore, when preparing the proof, by synthesizing the additional dot image data for forming a cutting line F, for example, to these dot image data corresponding to the original image data, the cut line F is automatically formed on the completed proof. Thus, check can be efficiently executed without manually drawing the cut line.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing system for forming printing image data such as halftone dot image data from image data and outputting the image data to an output device, and particularly to an image processing device suitable for use in the printing field. The present invention relates to an image processing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the printing plate making process, it is common to prepare a proof (a proofreading sample) in order to confirm the pattern, color tone, text, characters, etc. to be output before the final printing operation. is there. In the image processing apparatus for creating this proof, the image data is RIP (Raster Image Processing).
Is converted into raster data, halftone image data is created based on the converted data, and the halftone image data is transferred to an output device and output as a color proof from the output device.

[0003]

By the way, a printed sheet is cut into a predetermined size thereafter. In this case, if the range of the image to be printed and the cut size are made to match exactly. Even with a slight misalignment, the margins of an image appear on a sheet of paper after cutting, which may be said to be bad. Therefore, usually, the range of the image to be printed is set to be slightly larger than the cutting size so that the margin of the image does not appear on the paper after cutting.

Therefore, one role of the proof is to judge whether or not the relationship between the range of the image to be printed and the cutting size is appropriate. If the range of the printed image is slightly larger than the cutting size, the above-mentioned margin may appear depending on the cutting, while the range of the printed image may be considerably larger than the cutting size or may be misaligned. If so, there is a problem that an image or a character that should originally be cut off by cutting.

Therefore, conventionally, a line called a bleed line has been manually drawn on the finished proof to judge whether or not the image after cutting is appropriate. However, the work of manually drawing a bleed line is a labor-intensive work, and there is a demand to improve its efficiency.

On the other hand, although texts for teaching materials are often printed in large quantities, it may be necessary to include answers and commentary texts for teacher texts with respect to student texts. In such a case, conventionally, data of four colors (CMYK) and five colors (CMYK +) are used.
Special color data is prepared separately, and RIP is performed to obtain image data. However, it is troublesome to prepare the data separately.

On the other hand, most of the text data for the instructor is the same as the text data for the student, so in addition to the text data for the student, the instructor-specific data is held as the data regarding the "spot color". There is also the idea that it will be enough. In this case, if the output device capable of printing the spot color is used, only the data of four colors (CMYK) after RIP conversion is transmitted to the output device when printing the text for the student, and the RIP is used when printing the text for the instructor. If you send the converted 5 color (CMYK + spot color) data to the output device,
Each RIP conversion is sufficient once, and desired printing is possible. However, if the output device does not support "spot colors", printing the text for the instructor requires sorting the spot color data into 4 color (CMYK) data at the time of RIP conversion, and also performing RIP conversion twice. It is necessary and time-consuming.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of efficiently forming a proof or a plurality of kinds of printed matter which can be easily checked. And

[0009]

An image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that creates printing image data based on original image data and outputs the printing image data to an output device. Based on the different additional data, the additional printing image data is created in advance, and the combined printing image data obtained by synthesizing the additional printing image data and the printing image data, Since the proof is output to the output device to create a proof, when creating a proof, according to the original image data, the printing image data is
For example, if you combine additional image data for printing to form a bleed line, the bleed line is automatically formed in the proof, so you do not need to manually draw the bleed line and check it. It can be done efficiently. still,
The additional data is not limited to forming a bleed line, but may be data for forming a cross mark, a symbol indicating a proof, or the like. The "printing image data" also includes image data other than the halftone image data output to an output device such as an inkjet printer, including halftone image data used for high-quality proof.

Further, a plurality of types of the additional printing image data are prepared according to the original image data, and any one of the plurality of types of the additional printing image data with respect to the printing image data to be combined. If the original image data has a plurality of types such as 8 imposition and 4 imposition, the shape of the bleed line needs to be changed accordingly. By preparing the additional image data for printing in advance, it is possible to deal with it by selecting either one.

Further, the composite printing image data includes information on the color of the image corresponding to the additional printing image data, and if the information can be changed, for example, by changing the color of the cutting line, The distinction from the background color becomes clear, and the check becomes easy.

Further, it is preferable that the image corresponding to the additional image data for printing includes a bleed line added to the image corresponding to the original image data in the proof output by the output device.

The image processing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention is an image processing apparatus which creates printing image data based on the original image data and outputs the printing image data to the output device. A first mode in which combined printing image data obtained by creating additional printing image data and combining the additional printing image data with the printing image data is output to the output device. And a second mode in which the print image data is output to the output device without being combined with the additional print image data, so that, for example, text for student is formed. For the original image data,
If there is additional data for forming the commentary part in the text for the teacher, in the first mode,
By outputting the composite printing image data to the output device, a text sheet for a teacher is printed, and in the second mode, the printing image data is output to the output device to provide text for a student. Since the paper is printed, the image processing can be efficiently performed.

Further, it is preferable that the image formed in the first mode includes an image which is additional to the image formed in the second mode. The additional image in this case corresponds to, for example, a commentary portion of the text for the teacher, which is not included in the text for the student.

The image processing method of the third aspect of the present invention is an image processing method for producing printing image data based on the input original image data and outputting it to the output device, which is combined with the original image data. The additional data to be added is given a file name corresponding to the file name of the original image data in advance, and based on the file name of the input original image data, the corresponding additional data is searched for and both data are automatically Since the image data for printing is created by synthesizing automatically, even if the original image data and the additional image data are stored separately, they can be associated quickly and automatically based on their file names. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the composition process. The file name of the additional data and the file name of the original image data may be associated with each other by an operator according to a predetermined rule or automatically. Also, as is clear, if it is determined as a result of the search that the additional data corresponding to the original image data does not exist, the combining process is not performed.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an output device connected thereto. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image processing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining image composition.

In FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 10 includes an input unit 12 for inputting image data and a memory for storing additional halftone dot (for printing) image data corresponding to bleed line data which is additional data. 13, an operation unit 14, an output unit 15 that outputs data, and a CPU 11 that controls these
It consists of and.

The operation of the image processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be described. First, the memory 13 of the image processing device 10 stores two types of additional halftone dot (for printing) image data of bleed line data for eight imposition and bleed line data for four imposition. And In FIG. 1, when the original image data D1 for eight impositions (corresponding to FIG. 3A) is input to the input unit 12 of the image processing apparatus 10, C
When the PU 11 analyzes the original image data D1 and determines that it is 8-imposition data, it performs RIP processing on the original image data D1 and then bleeds line data for 8-imposition ( The additional halftone image data shown in FIG. 3B is synthesized to generate synthetic halftone image data (CMYK4 version bitmap data, the same applies hereinafter), and the output unit 1
5 to the output device 20 (in the order of CMYK, the same hereinafter, but not restricted to this order). The output device 20 is capable of producing a proof (corresponding to FIG. 3C) in which a crease line is formed based on the input halftone image data.

On the other hand, in the input unit 12 of the image processing apparatus 10,
When the 4-imposition original image data D2 is input, the CPU 11 analyzes the original image data D2 and determines that the 4-imposition data is R-imposition data.
After the IP processing, for the obtained halftone image data,
The additional halftone dot image data of the bleed line data for four-side imposition is combined to create combined halftone dot image data, which is transmitted from the output unit 15 to the output device 20.

According to the present embodiment, since the cutting line F as shown in FIG. 3C is already formed on the proof formed by the output device 20, the cutting line is manually formed. You can easily check the proof without the need.

In the present embodiment, the color of the bleed line that can be more clearly identified according to the background color of the image can be input or selected from the operation unit 14. The color of the cutting line may be automatically selected from the original image data. If the original image data and the bleed line data have different resolutions, the bleed line data having the same resolution can be automatically created.

As in the above-described embodiment, when the image to be added to the original image is a bleed line, the combined data is often of a fixed type, and the combined data of several types of bleed lines (bleed line data) is used. If you register in advance, you only need to input image data, and you can combine efficiently. It is preferable that the registration of the image data be performed in units of folders, and that when the image data is input to a certain folder, the composite image registered therein is automatically composed. If image data is input to a folder in which nothing is registered, it can be output without being combined. Alternatively, it is also possible to collect synthetic data in one place and automatically determine the synthetic image from the size of the input image data (corresponding to 8 imposition, 4 imposition, etc.). In this embodiment as well, it may be possible to select whether or not to add bleed line data by setting the mode.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the second embodiment, and the configurations of the image processing device 10 and the output device 20 are the same as those of the above-described embodiments.

Unlike the above-mentioned bleed line, in the case of text data for teaching materials, the instructor-specific image to be combined is different for each image data (page), so it is necessary to input image data and additional data every time. There is. In such a case, it is not possible to determine which image data and which additional data should be combined unless some kind of rule is added. Here, in order to add a rule for discrimination, GUI (Graphical Us
er Interface), it is possible to register what kind of character string exists in the color plate part of the file name to identify it as a composite file.

In FIG. 4, in the memory 13 (FIG. 1) of the image processing apparatus 10, image data (original image data) a of text for students and texts for teachers not included in the text data for students are shown. The image data b of the commentary part of is stored. Here, when the operator sets the first mode using the operation unit 14 of the image processing apparatus 10,
The CPU 11 (FIG. 1) synthesizes the halftone dot image data corresponding to the image data a and the additional halftone dot image data corresponding to the image data b to create the synthesized halftone dot image data, and the output unit 15 ( 1) to the output device 20. As a result, the output device 20 can create a text sheet for the teacher based on the input composite halftone image data.

On the other hand, when the operator sets the second mode using the operation unit 14 of the image processing apparatus 10, the CPU 11
In FIG. 1, only halftone image data corresponding to the image data a is transmitted from the output unit 15 (FIG. 1) to the output device 20. Thereby, the output device 20 can create a text sheet for students based on the input halftone image data.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to prepare in advance all the image data for printing the text for the instructor, but only the image data of the part to be added to the text for the student. You only need to have it, and you can keep the required memory capacity low. Also, only when printing the text for the instructor, if the second mode is selected, compositing is appropriately performed. Therefore, when the image data of the text for the student is represented by 4 colors (CMYK), Even when the special color is used for printing the commentary part of the text, since the RIP may be performed on the combined image data (5 colors (CMYK + special color)), there is no need to perform the RIP twice. It is possible to print efficiently.

The file name of the halftone dot image data (original image data) after RIP is, for example, Job000.
1-Cyan. tif, Job0001-Magent
a. tif, Job0001-Yellow. tif,
Job0001-Black. In some cases, the name of each color is added to the unique file name (Job0001) such as tif. By using this, when the image data (additional data) of the spot color is stored in the memory 13, for example, its file name is Job0001-spo.
t. It is also conceivable that when the original image data is input, the special color data (additional data) is searched for based on the file name and automatically extracted to perform the combining process.

That is, according to this embodiment, when the original image data and the additional image data are stored separately without selecting the mode, the original image data and the additional image data are stored based on their unique file names (Job0001). Thus, it is possible to quickly and automatically make correspondence, and it is possible to improve the efficiency of the combining process. The file name of the additional data and the file name of the original image data may be associated with each other by an operator according to a predetermined rule or automatically. Also, although it is clear, if it is determined as a result of the search that the additional data corresponding to the original image data does not exist, it is found that the text data for students does not have the spot color data. No processing is done.

Further, even in the case of the bleed line as in the first embodiment, if the image data and the composite data are always different, it is necessary to combine them by the method as in the second embodiment. In the method of the first embodiment, it may be troublesome because it is necessary to register each time image data is input. For example, it is conceivable to use the method according to the second embodiment for non-standard proofs such as seals having different sizes (round or square).

The above-described embodiments are not limited to the case of creating texts for students and teachers, and are formed by mixing a printed material having only a basic image and a printed material having an additional image added thereto. In such a case, it can be widely applied. As described above, in the present embodiment, the texts for the instructor and the student are printed by using the output device capable of outputting the spot color, so that the spot color data (fifth edition) is not transferred separately. There is an advantage that the time can be shortened and waste of the special color material (sensitive material) can be eliminated.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the exemplary embodiments, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, but it goes without saying that appropriate modifications and improvements are possible. is there.

[0033]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of efficiently forming a proof or a plurality of kinds of printed matter which can be easily checked.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an output device connected thereto.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the image processing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining image composition.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Image processing device 11 CPU 12 Input section 13 memory 14 Operation part 15 Output section 20 Output device

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hiroshi Nakamori             26-26 Shimomiyabi-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Joint             Building Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Takeshi Sugita             26-26 Shimomiyabi-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Joint             Building Konica Corporation F-term (reference) 2C087 AA13 AB05 BA03 BA06 BA08                       BD07 BD52 CA04 CA05 CB04                 5B050 AA09 BA06 DA04 EA19 FA05                       GA08                 5B057 AA11 CA01 CA08 CB01 CB07                       CB12 CB16 CC01 CE08 CE13                       CH11                 5C076 AA14 BA06

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for producing print image data based on original image data and outputting the print image data to an output device, wherein the additional print image data is previously created based on additional data different from the original image data. The combined printing image data obtained by combining the additional printing image data and the printing image data is output to the output device to create a proof. An image processing device characterized in that 2. A plurality of types of the additional printing image data are prepared according to the original image data, and any one of the plurality of types of the additional printing image data with respect to the printing image data to be combined. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether or not to be determined is automatically determined. 3. The composite printing image data includes information about a color of an image corresponding to the additional printing image data, and the information is changeable. Image processing device. 4. The image corresponding to the additional image data for printing includes a bleed line added to the image corresponding to the original image data in a proof output by the output device. The image processing device according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. An image processing device for creating print image data based on original image data and outputting the print image data to an output device, wherein additional print image data is created from additional data different from the original image data. A first mode in which combined printing image data obtained by combining the additional printing image data and the printing image data is output to the output device, and the additional printing image data An image processing device, wherein the image data for printing can be output to the output device without being combined with the second mode. 6. The image formed in the first mode is different from the image formed in the second mode.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image processing apparatus includes an additional image. 7. An image processing method for producing print image data based on input original image data and outputting the print image data to an output device, wherein the original image data is added to the additional data to be combined with the original image data. A file name associated with the file name of is attached in advance, based on the file name of the input original image data, additional data corresponding to it is searched, and both data are automatically combined to create a print image. An image processing method characterized by creating data.